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Are You Leaving Your Learners Behind? 6 Ways to Include Everyone in a Multi-Device Approach

You've probably asked yourself who your target learners are before jumping into a big new project. Since we've evolved with using technology in our daily lives, it's common to find the incredibly connected learner who will demand ongoing access to relevant information at any time of day, on a number of devices. The expectation of pervasive learning to live within the workplace is high, especially with these types of learners in the organisational mix, but what are learning and development departments doing about it, and is it enough?

Tip 1: Research the Troops to Find out More About Your Learners & Their Needs

Before you start making any plans, let's find out more about your learners with some organisational research. Some questions to consider are:

Do learners use their smartphones or tablets to access their work from home?

How often do they use these devices, and what is the frequency at which they switch from one device to the other? Whether for work or leisure purposes?

Are they Android or Apple users? Or do they think these are celebrity child names?

Just kidding about that last one, but in all seriousness, a well-thought out survey, sent out to your target learners can provide insight into how tech savvy they might be, and where there are gaps in your workplace learning. Understanding the way your learners use technology outside of the workplace will can help you discover what type of learning methods and programmes your L&D department needs to encourage moving onward.

Tip 2: Don't Leave Anyone Behind:

So you've done your research about the learners in your organisation, and by looking through the data, you noticed that there are a good mix of different platforms, and many of your learners are using smartphone, tablets and laptops interchangeably. Don't be tempted by to create a single version of your compliance training programme if you noticed for example, that the numbers are leaning to a Apple product majority (Macbooks, iPhone, iPads). Not only will you end up paying more for less with a single version mLearning programme, you'll abandon everyone else who uses the other branded devices out there; and they need learning too. Find out how we created a multi-device elearning programme for the 120,000 Scouts Association volunteers across the UK.

Tip 3: Say Hello to Your New Best Friend, Adapt:

Want to reach him on your smartphone? He's a click away. Tablet? Easy as a swipe. Laptop? Did you even have to ask? Elearning programmes built on the Adapt Framework are accessible across multi-devices, meaning all browsers, and platforms. Because Adapt is open source, it's great for those small budgets because it can do everything you want it to, without having to pay license fees, or better yet, one version works across all devices.

Tip 4: Create a Meaningful and Memorable Experience:

Those couch potatoes might miss an episode of Game of Thrones once they've seen the design tricks your elearning has up its sleeve (or at least want to work through it during those commercials). With Adapt, you have more flexibility in how the content is arranged, which allows for different layers, lengths and density of content. The intuitive design allows for content to be displayed differently based on the device the programme is being viewed on. This means that you won't lose your learners on boring content- with multi-device elearning, your content will be a sure-fire way to keep them engaged from smartphone to tablet. Want to see what we're talking about? Take a look at the TUI Travel Case Study to find out how we created a design manifesto for maximum impact for learners.

Tip 5: Don't Forget the Minor Details (Like Multi-Device LMS):

What could be worse than spending your budget on a responsive elearning programme and then finding out your LMS won't support multi-devices (cue expletives from your tech savvy learners). Make sure you find out if your LMS is multi-device compatible, and if not, it's time to look at some other forward thinking options that meet your budget. Totara LMS Mobile was launched in 2014, which now supports learners across multi-devices, and makes multi-device programmes even more accessible through the platform.

Tip 6: Make it Viral (and Social):

Now that you've made workplace learning accessible for all of your learners, literally anywhere and on any device, it's time to let them know. Take a step back and consider this pervasive learning culture you have now implemented by giving them immediate access to learning at all times. Following that stream of thought, consider creating YouTube videos explaining the how-to's instead of old fashioned hand-outs. Link users to online social learning networks via your LMS, where they can share their experiences with colleagues as they go through those programmes. Don't know where to start? Start by utilizing those internal communications and give them that call to action to bring out their smartphones and test out their new multi-device elearning programme. Put on your savvy marketing caps and get those connected learners on board with your new multi-device approach. All you need is one Elvis to get the rest of the pack on board.

So...What Are You Waiting For?

If your learners are finding your workplace learning programmes dull and inaccessible, multi-device learning solves that problem. Not only can you create engaging, beautifully designed modules built on an industry leading framework, but you can also guarantee that they will have access to their learning as they see fit. Giving your learners the opportunity to access their workplace learning on-the-go, whether on their smartphone, tablet or laptop, gives them more freedom to work at their own pace. Don't lose track of your learners and what technology has to offer - meet them in the middle and make it work for you!

5 Ways to Build an Effective Learning Portal for Your Organisation

About the Author

Georgia
Kineo Pacific - Melbourne

Marketing Manager for Kineo Pacific, Georgia has been immersed in the marketing industry for over 5 years in B2B & B2C organisations. With a keen interest in social media strategy, she keeps an eye out for innovative digital approaches that engage audiences and meets organisational needs.